COUNCILLOR Johnston claims HS2 would beat air travel (ViewPoints, July 1).

But there are no London-Birmingham scheduled flights and HS2 Ltd predicts only eight per cent of its passengers would switch from flying.

Emissions at high altitude harm our climate more than those at ground level.

But domestic aviation produced only 2.3 per cent of UK transport emissions in 2006, falling to two per cent by 2009.

Ninety-three per cent of UK transport emissions are from roads, so our priority must be to forsake cars and HGVs for public transport.

HS2 predicts only eight per cent of its passengers would switch from roads, reducing M1 traffic by only one per cent.

HS2 would run at 255mph, using four times as much power as 125mph electric trains.

This would increase ticket prices and power station emissions.

A less extreme speed, as in other countries, would win more traffic from motorways at less cost.

HS2 would have only two tracks, which even with in-cab signalling could not carry all Manchester and Leeds expresses.

HS2 would be choked almost from the start and cost so much that Britain could not afford yet another north-south line to relieve it.

HS2 would not reach Birmingham until 2023 and would take even longer to reach Manchester and Leeds.

When would it ever reach Scotland?

Instead, a four-track line close to the M1 could be built sooner than a two-track one through the Chilterns.

It would add more capacity, need fewer expensive tunnels and do less environmental harm.

HS2 is economic, environmental and political nonsense.

HUGH JAEGER Media Officer Railfuture Thames Valley Branch